Alan Jones corresponded with 13-year-old seeking financial aid, court hears

Alan Jones, a 2GB broadcaster, corresponded extensively with a 13-year-old who had written to him asking for financial help, showering the teenager with praise and asking him to keep some secrets from his mother. The teenager, known as complainant A, posted a letter to Jones after his father left and his single mother was struggling financially, the court heard on the first day of evidence given by complainant A in a closed court.

Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching, replied that the young correspondent was a “sophisticated, articulate 13-year-old” who was experiencing “terrible circumstances”. The broadcaster offered to help the family and over three years continued contact with the son over email, texts and phone calls. Jones also visited the family at home and on one occasion drove to the house but asked the teenager to come outside to meet him and did not go inside. He took the teenager to lunch alone at a pub and had him visit him at his Circular Quay apartment twice. He told the court the butler, David Allan, made him a hot breakfast on one occasion.

During their lengthy correspondence Jones asked for specific details of his mother’s financial distress with housing, employment and superannuation. Jones signed off his emails: “Lots of love and best wishes, Alan Jones AO,” adding phrases such as “You’re always in my thoughts” and “You are a wonderful young man”. Jones asked the teenager on several occasions to keep certain details from his mother, suggesting that she was shouldering enough worry as it was. On one occasion he disclosed to the then-16-year-old that he had just signed a cheque for $86,000 for building work to his mother’s home and added: “That’s just between you and me.” Complainant A told the court he assured Jones that he was keeping certain conversations confidential, but in reality he would always tell his mother.

After offering to pay for a lawyer to assist the family, Jones wrote to say that the bill was $5,500 and there were limits to his generosity and he “can’t be an endless dripping tap”. Jones wrote that “lawyers keep the meter running” and “I am not a mobile bank but I am here to help”. When the teenager suggested he and his mother start paying him back, Jones responded: “I don’t expect any of it back.” In opening statements, prosecutor Georgina Wright told the court that Jones invited the then 17-year-old complainant A to visit his farm in Fitzroy Falls in the New South Wales Southern Highlands where he allegedly kissed him on the mouth and touched him on the bottom. The trial before judge Glenn Walsh continues.